US Equity and Economic Week in Review: Hurricane Damage Looks To Be Contained

            There are four elements of a time series: the actual trend (which is determined using moving averages of various lengths), cyclical movements (regular events that occur over more than 12-months), seasonal movements (regular events that occur over less than 12 months) and irregular events.  Hurricanes Irma and Harvey provide an excellent opportunity to revisit the potential impact of irregular movements on a time series – this time focusing on initial unemployment claims, which have an excellent track record as a leading indicator.  If a recent spike becomes lo